Saturday, November 30, 2013

I received products for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

I have four girls in my house, not including myself. All of them have long hair and almost always wear hair accesories. I like to put hair pieces in their stockings during the holidays because it's something I know they'll use. The girls have several hair accessories from scünci brand in their stash and will be receiving more for Christmas. I received three kinds of scünci hair accessories for review and let the girls test them out.

scünci Expandable Headband with Iridescent Finish - This headband adjusts to all hair types and textures. Regardless of the size of your dome, it will fit because it expands. Emma snatched this headband up right away and wears it often. It doesn't fall or slip, and it keeps hair out of her face. The finish of the headband is iridescent in color.

scünci No Slip Galaxy Jaw Clip - A raised grip fuses with your hair to keep your style in place. The cushion hold is gentle and keeps you from feeling the raised edges of the clip that keeps your hair in place. There are two jaw clips per package. Shelby adds these in her hair with a ponytail to keep it in place throughout the day.

scünci Knotted Ponytailers - Five per package, these assorted colored ponytailers add a pop of color to your hair. They resemble the feel of pantyhose material. Juliann likes to add one in above her regular ponytail holder to color coordinate with her outfits.

scünci hair accessories are available in mass market and drug stores nationwide for a suggested retail value of $2.99 - $4.99.

Win It!

One person will win choice of one of these three scünci hair accessories:
scünci Knotted Ponytailers
scünci No Slip Galaxy Jaw Clip
scünci Expandable Headband with Iridescent Finish

My oldest may be 19 years old but she still wants her mommy at times. One of those times was when I went with her almost a month ago to get an EEG. Since she's legally an adult there's nothing I could do except be there for moral support.

Shelby's been having episodes of fainting and blackouts. The doctor suggested an EEG so we drove almost two hours away to get her tested. For those unfamiliar with what an EEG does, it's a recording of electrical brain activity. It's a very painless procedure and the whole thing from beginning to end lasts about ninety minutes.

Shelby had to stay up 24 hours prior to the EEG so I was the one who drove during the trip. The hospital staff was super friendly and answered all questions we had. The first step the specialist did was measure Shelby's head and mark precise places with a blue marker. Next he had her lie in the bed and used a gel to place the electrical nodes on her head. Shelby said it was like getting a bunch of noogies. Next Shelby had to fall asleep for a short period of time while they recorded her brain activity. Once she woke up, she was subjected to staring into a strobe light for a few minutes and then breathing fast to make herself hyperventilate. The electrodes were then taken off and she was set to go.

They say that no news is good news and I guess that was the case because it took a few weeks to get her readings back. On the plus side, nothing was found wrong with her brain. Her thinker works just fine. On the down side, we still don't know what's wrong with her.

I received products for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

It's no secret, I like chocolate. It's even better if it's chocolate that's got a distinct taste and made from fine ingredients. There is a difference in chocolate brands, and some rise above others.

Dean's Sweets offers elegant, extraordinary, hand-dipped truffles created from the finest imported dark chocolate. Some of their luscious flavors include brandy, rum, scotch, orange, raspberry, coffee, peppermint, ginger, plain, and cayenne. All truffles are covered in a rich dark chocolate coating. You know you are eating gourmet chocolates when you take a bite of Dean's Sweets truffles.

I received two sets of truffles from Dean's Sweets to try, the Spicy and Maine Mix varieties. Each gift set was elegantly packaged with a pretty maroon bow. Each truffle was also placed atop a brown liner. The Spicy truffles included Cinnamon, Ginger, Cayenne, and Hot Coffee flavors. It's not everyday that I get to taste chocolates infused with these particular flavors. The rich chocolate truffles were delectable and had an essense of each flavor. Of the Spicy Mix, my favorite was Hot Coffee. The Cayenne truffle had a bit of a kick to it. I'm not generally a big fan of Cinnamon but it wasn't overpowering and the balance of chocolate with it made it an agreeable combination.

The Maine Mix included Blueberry, Maple, Maine Sea Salt, and Needham flavors. The infused flavors with the chocolate of the truffles was amazing. The Maine Sea Salt truffle had a sprinkling of sea salt on top.

I can't rave enough out Dean's Sweets. It's like edible heaven in your mouth. The chocolate is rich so one or two pieces at a time is enough. I don't have a nut allergy, but those who do will be glad to know that there are no nuts or nut products used in any of Dean's Sweets products. The price point for these truffles is a little higher than what you'd pay for normal chocolate, but Dean's Sweets confections aren't your normal chocolate. They're made with quality ingredients and each piece is hand-dipped.

I received product for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

I try to keep an upbeat attitude about most things and humor is one attribute that attracts me to a person. I like to laugh. With that being said, Crazy Dog TShirts has a line of novelty and funny t-shirts that make me do just that. My husband has a twisted sense of humor, which I almost always find amusing, and the shirts from Crazy Dog Tshirts suit him to a tee. I found an awesome I Feel Sorry For People Shirt at CrazyDogTshirts.com and knew it'd be perfect for Jason. Be sure to check out all their funny shirts; they've got a great selection!

I knew Jason would see the humor in the shirt and other people wouldn't be surprised that he was wearing something like it. The tshirt is dark blue in color and the wording is white. The shirt, size XL, is made of lightweight soft cotton. It does shrink minimally in the wash. Jason likes the comfortable fit of the tshirt and the jokey words on it.

Crazy Dog Tshirts is the number one source online for funny tshirts and vintage shirts that help you stand out and get noticed. Founded in 2004 the t-shirt empire offers custom shirts in Rochester, NY. There are a handful of tshirts from their apparel line that I wouldn't wear due to being a little too offensive for me but, for the most part, I really dig their selection.

Win It!

One person will win choice of men's tee from CrazyDogTshirts.com.

Men's tee must be $18.99 or less (regular retail, not sale price) and winner cannot have won any promotional product from the company within the past 90 days. This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*

Friday, November 29, 2013

I received no compensation or product for this post. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

With the 2013 holiday shopping season being the shortest we have seen in years, it’s likely you have already taken advantage of some of the season’s greatest deals. While this time of year offers lots of ways to save, it can also cause you to overspend just to ensure everyone has that perfect gift. This year why not get a handle on your holiday expenses before you hit the mall? Join the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and and Girls’ Lunch Out for a #HolidaySpending Twitter Party, taking place on Tuesday, December 3rd from 9PM-10PM ET.

As the nation’s largest and longest-serving non-profit financial counseling organization, the NFCC provides counseling and education to millions of consumers each year on all things money like smart spending during the holidays, how to create a monthly budget, and calculators to help you buy a home or pay off debt. During the party there will be discussion on money saving tips for the holiday season, including smart shopping strategies and tools you can use today to ensure you’re financially focused in 2014.

By participating in the party, you will also have the chance to win some great prizes that will help you save some bucks this holiday season!

I received DVDs for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

“The Secret World of Santa Claus: Elves in Toyland” (SRP $14.95) and

“The Secret World of Santa Claus: A Present for Santa” (SRP $14.95)

Kids and families will count down to Christmas with the DVD debut of the beloved international sensation, The Secret World of Santa Claus! The two special two-disc sets each feature a dozen episodes of the timeless animated series. In “The Secret World of Santa Claus: Elves in Toyland,” Santa, his reindeer and trusty elves sleigh into a land full of enchantment. But when they arrive, they find the meddlesome Gruzzlebeard has cast a wicked spell on the toys, making them come to life. With Christmas fast approaching, Santa and his elves must undo the maleficent magic before it’s too late…! And in “The Secret World of Santa Claus: A Present for Santa,” children work with Santa’s elves to make him a gift so he won’t be the only person on the planet who never receives presents on Christmas. While they’re hard at work, the dastardly Gruzzlebeard unleashes hungry termites that nearly eat Santa’s house, along with his trademark suit with special powers! Santa is very distressed, but when he awakens to a big present outside, courtesy of the children, he discovers all hope is not lost.

My Review:

The Secret World of Santa Claus is an old school animation that features Santa, three main elves, and a polar bear. While Santa makes plans and preparations for Christmas, an enemy known as Gruzzlebeard and his sidekick Dudley, try to foil Santa's plans. In the end, all turns out well.

"The Secret World of Santa Claus: Elves in Toyland" has two DVDs that includes an episode for December 1st through the 12th. The second, "The Secret World of Santa Claus: A Present for Santa" also has two DVDs and includes an episode each for December 13th through the 25th. Each episode is approximately half an hour long. These DVDs are a fun way for children to count down to Christmas by watching an episode a day, or they can get in the Christmas spirit by watching several episodes at once.

I received products for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Keep gift giving simple this holiday season and give pretty presents that pamper! Try creating a gift set with your friend’s favorite beauty products by including her favorite perfume, makeup, nail polish, hairbrush, etc. and don’t forget to include new accént® Moisturizing Lotion and accént® Cleansing Wash. New accent® skincare products are the only line of moisturizers and cleansers to utilize Protease Technology, a proprietary blend of plant-based enzymes, amino acids and moisturizers that work in concert offering a skincare regimen like no other product. The brand’s Protease Technology combines ficin (derived from figs), bromelain (derived from pineapple) and actinidia chinensis fruit extract (derived from kiwi) with a blend of advanced moisturizers including hyaluronic acid and amino a cids. Additionally, accent® products include niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) which helps to activate skin’s natural ability to produce ceramides to protect skins barrier. Now a recommended skincare regimen by dermatologists, accent® products help to soothe and protect all skin types. The accént® products are available at CVS stores and online at drugstore.com. The accént® Moisturizing Lotion is sold at a suggested retail price of $15.99 and the accént® Cleansing Wash for $14.99.

If there's one thing I like to experiement with, it's health and beauty products. I'm not devoted to one particular brand but will purchase some more often than others based upon past experience. There's also some I'll never buy again because they didn't work for my skin. I was excited to try the new accént® Moisturizing Lotion and accént® Cleansing Wash and see if they were up to par with what I expect from products of this type.

I have extremely dry, itchy skin. It's especially bad in the winter. The most affected areas are my elbows, feet, and nose. It's a huge relief when I can find lotions and body washes that relieve the symptoms. After trying accént® Moisturizing Lotion and accént® Cleansing Wash for some time now, I can say I'm generally pleased. Both products are fragrance-free so there's no scents or or perfume smells. I will use products that have fragrances as well as those that don't but have personally found that those without don't irritate my skin so much.

The cleansing wash is a gentle formula that leaves my skin feeling clean after use. It has the right amount of suds and comes out in a pale yellowish color. My husband is fond of this body wash because it doesn't have a feminine smell. The lotion is white in color and is non-greasy. My skin literally feels refreshed and remoisturized when I apply the lotion. I can immediately feel the difference where my skin goes from very dry to very soft. I usually reapply the lotion every three or four hours to keep from drying out. I still have dry, itchy skin at times but it doesn't seem to be as big of a problem if I apply accént® Moisturizing Lotion and cleanse with accént® Cleansing Wash regularly.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

I received DVD for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

DVD Synopsis:

Pint-size viewers will have a lot to bee excited about this holiday season when The Hive, the animated TV series for preschoolers on Disney Junior from Bejuba! Entertainment, comes to DVD and digital for the first time! “A Very Buzzbee Christmas” features nearly 90 minutes of high-flying hijinks starring the tiny, stripy Bee family – Pappa Bee, Mamma Bee, Buzzbee, Rubee and Babee – as they buzz around the sky, take part in Honeybee Hive’s Harvest Festival of Lights and await the arrival of Pappa Christmas. The adorable new release captures all the most buzz-worthy themes of the popular series, including spending time with family, making friends, and finding out about the world and how it works.

I'd never heard of The Hive until I received this DVD. Apparently it's a TV series on Disney Junior. After watching The Hive: A Very Buzzbee Christmas, I can see why the show is a hit with little ones. The show features a bee family with insect friends. The characters speak in understandable language and the animated graphics are colorful and cute. Although some of the episodes revolve around Christmas and holiday themes, not all of them do. Throughout each episode, children will be delighted with the characters while learning compassion, teamwork, and other values.

This post contains affiliate links. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

The deals and discounts are aplenty as we dive into the holiday season. Here are some to help you with your shopping:

This year, give thanks for an extended Black Friday sale from dr. brandt, exclusively on www.drbrandtskincare.com. dr. brandt skincare is offering fans not just one, but over two full days to stock up on dr. brandt skincare favorites and score must-have holiday gifts for everyone on their list. From midnight on Wednesday, November 27th EST through midnight Friday, November 29th EST, all dr. brandt products site-wide will be available for 40% off entire purchase, plus complimentary standard shipping, on the brand’s website. No additional discounts apply.

For those who love to cyber shop, and crave refreshed, youthful looking eyes, the top selling dr. brandt eye creams will be 40% off from noon on Sunday, December 1st through midnight on Monday, December 2nd EST, plus complimentary standard shipping. Choose from six dr. brandt skincare eye favorites: light years away brightening eye cream, glow by dr. brandt revitalizing retinol eye cream, dark circles away collagen eye serum, flaws no more r3p eye original peptide cream, lineless eye cream, and time arrest eye serum to get incredible deals to gift or keep for yourself. Offer applies only to these select eye products.

WHEN: Sunday, December 1st at noon to Monday, December 2nd at midnight EST
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Use coupon code CYBERSANTA at CanvasHQ on December 2nd to receive 50% off any size canvas.
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Receive a free 8x10 photo enlargment at Walgreens when you use coupon code TURKEY8X10 at checkout. Offer expires November 30th.
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Beginning on Black Friday through December 24th, C.O. Bigelow will be doing an in-store raffle. Anyone purchasing $75 or more on C.O. Bigelow products (in-store only) between those dates can enter to win a prize. C.O. Bigelow will raffle off prizes daily for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Prizes will include products from Orla Kiely, Butter London, Hollywood Fashion Tape, Jane Iredale, Patch NYC, and more. The grand prize will be a $150 C.O. Bigelow gift basket.

In addition, C.O. Bigelow is offering 25% off C.O. Bigelow products online only – Friday, November 29 through Monday, December 2, 2013. Use code Turkey 1838 at checkout.
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Starting Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Skin & Co. Roma is offering up to 30% off all Gift Sets. They are also offering a free luxurious gift with any $80 purchase. For every $60 spent you will receive 4 free travel size products which make great stocking stuffers. Not to mention FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25.

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From November 16th through December 31st, join the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo in their efforts to spread a little love this holiday season.

All five parks will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for donation to help support local families in need. The Bronx Zoo will be participating in the Bronx Borough President’s annual toy drive in support of families of local veterans and active duty military members. Central Park Zoo will join the fun and donate to families of local veterans and active duty military members as well. In addition, The New York Aquarium, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo will be collecting toys to donate to some of the communities hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. For every new toy donated you can receive one free general admission ticket.* Toys can be dropped off at the gate; admission is not required. Your donation can make all the difference. For more details, please visit http://bronxzoo.com/toydrive/.

*Free ticket to the Bronx Zoo when donating at the Bronx Zoo, Queens Zoo, or Central Park Zoo. Free ticket to the New York Aquarium when donating at the New York Aquarium or the Prospect Park Zoo.
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Receive 20% off any one single item now until December 1st at SpiritHalloween. Use code BLACKWIDOW at checkout.
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Now you can own the next generation of the popular Wi-Fi learning tablet, the InnoTab 3S. This tablet offers a wealth of fun, age-appropriate learning games for kids, plus new ways to play and learn. Kids and parents can exchange and share their text messages, photos and more over a kid-safe Wi-Fi connection using VTech Kid Connect1. Browse kid-safe and parent approved websites to find even more learning fun right from the InnoTab 3S. For even more value, some InnoTab 3S come bundled with a rechargeable battery pack and AC adapter eliminating the need to buy expensive replacement batteries. With the InnoTab 3S, the learning fun never has to stop!

---------------------Fox Connect is having a Black Friday sale! More than 200 Movies and 200 TV seasons will be on sale at the lowest prices of the year – up to 88% off retail price! Get Family Guy, American Horror Story, Dollhouse, The Simpsons and Firefly at up to 93% off as well as all of your favorite movies. Offer is limited to one use per customer and select third party titles are excluded.

I'd like to wish all my readers and followers a Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be blessed and may your plate overflow. I'm thankful for several things in my life and here are just a few:

1. God's blessings and grace - Without Him, I wouldn't have hope or courage. I believe all my blessings come from God.

2. My family - With the exception of a small handful, I have a very supportive and loving family. I like that I can be myself around them, without having to be pretentious. They accept me whether I'm dressed to the nines or unkempt in lounge pants.

3. My husband and kids - Yeah, they're family too but they see the most of me - both good and bad. I have amazing kids who haven't caused me a world of grief and a husband who won't run and hide when I flip my switch at a moment's notice.

4. Roller Derby - It's a crazy brutal sport and I'm just a newbie. It's challenged me to whole new levels and motivated me to care more about my health. The coach, my brother, has been super encouraging and so have most of the veterans on the team.

5. Job Security - I have a job that's not very likely to go under or layoff (knock on lots of wood). There's cattiness and gossip, but my shiftmates are pretty cool and help me get through the night.

Monday, November 25, 2013

I received product for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Christmas will be here before we know it, and with it comes all the joys of the season — and a few questions, too. This is the time of year when people start wondering how to bring the magic of the holidays home for the family, what gifts and activities their kids will like and how they can connect with loved ones during this special time of year. That's where Hallmark comes in.

When you think of Hallmark, the first thing that probably comes to mind is cards. Cards for every occasion are their trademark. However, they sell other things as well, including a nice selection of gifts for Christmas that includes wrapping paper, keepsake ornaments, picture frames and more.

I have an eclectic selection of ornaments on my Christmas tree and Hallmark has a large selection of keepsake ornaments to suit my taste. Whimsical, elegant, classic, and cute ornaments are all part of their collection. I received the I Shot My Eye Out! Keepsake Ornament from Hallmark and am delighted to own a piece that is a part of one of my favorite Christmas movies. My family watches A Christmas Story every year as tradition. It's a Christmas classic and we never tire of it. The keepsake ornament features Ralphie, the main character with his infamous Red Ryder BB Gun.

The ornament comes with two batteries that need to be inserted. A screwdriver is needed to open the battery compartment. Once batteries are in place, you can push a button to hear memorable moments from a classic scene in the movie. The sound isn't the exact original narration from the movie, but rather someone that sounds similar. Although that part isn't authentic, it's still a delightful ornament and I'm excited to hang it on my tree this year and for years to come.

I also received a Bell Interactive Story Buddy from Hallmark, and how super cute it is! Bell is a plush pup that interacts with your child. Bell comes with a storybook, a CD, free access to digital storytime on Hallmark.com. When you press Bell's ear and turn the plush on, Bell will speak in response to the stories told to her. Bell's book, Bell's Big Move, tells of the pup and her girl owner as they move from a bustling city to a quiet place. While your child reads the book aloud, Bell will respond to certain parts of the book by actually speaking. Additional interactive books can be purchased separately. We have not used Bell for the free app that we have access to, but we've used her along with the book and CD. My nieces are amazed that Bell knows exactly when to speak and talks to them. When you are finished with Bell and her interactive story, you can press the button on her ear again to turn off the interaction. Bell is soft and cuddly, and quite engaging!

Adam attended his first school dance as a high schooler Saturday. Logan could've done the same but opted not to go. As with most teenage boys, it's not often I get to see Adam dressed up so nice. All boys were required to wear khaki pants, a dress shirt, and tie.

His little lady friend wore red and requested Adam do the same. He obliged. The two talk to each other from sun up to sun down but they're "just friends".

This isn't the first time I've had kids go to high school dances and all that good stuff. Our two oldest daughters did all that. But it is the first time for either of the boys. Seriously, they grow up so quick.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

I received compensation for this post. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

According to Mobile Commerce Daily, on Black Friday last year alone, mobile shopping accounted for 16 percent of online sales and that number is expected to exceed 20 percent this year, and a recent U.S. Cellular survey showed that 39 percent of smartphone customers use their smartphones for shopping.

Whether you like to shop from your couch or relish the chaos of visiting all of the stores during busy shopping times, smartphones can assist in ensuring you are efficient in your purchases, leaving more time enjoy the rest of the season’s offerings.

To assist in the bargain hunting, U.S. Cellular has some strategic tips on how your smartphone can become your best shopping pal. Here are some ways smartphones are helping users survive these sale shopping days without breaking a sweat or the bank:

In order to find the best deals around, the Black Friday App is one app to have at your fingertips. This free app is the ultimate Black Friday survival guide, enabling users to browse "leaked" and verified ads. It also allows users to price compare against the best online prices or find a store’s nearby locations with a tap. Using this app saves time and helps determine where to get the lowest price.

Let your smartphone also make the checkout process hassle free with CardStar. Get rid of the store rewards cards you may have dangling from your keychain or filling up your wallet by loading them into this app and you’ll never lose time or savings searching for the card you need again. After the cards are stored, you can access them right from your phone and the cashier will simply use the barcode stored on the device.

With Amazon Mobile, users are able to zip through their shopping from home on their smartphones and tablets and spend more time with family and friends.

In addition, U.S. Cellular now offers the iPhone 5s, the most forward-thinking smartphone in the world, and the iPhone 5c, the most colorful iPhone yet. U.S. Cellular also offers iPaid Air with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to its fast 4G LTE network with speeds up to ten times faster than 3G. Both new iPhones, along with the iPad Air are being touted as some of the "hottest tech gifts" this shopping season.

Will you be Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping this year? I will not be shopping Black Friday because I'll be at work, but I plan to use my mobile device to help me find deals and compare prices for Cyber Monday.

I received products for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Carmex, famous for its lip balms, has been used by my family for years. The teenage girls like to wear the lip balms to keep their lips from chapping and my husband has even put Original Carmex on the heels of his feet to soften them. I swear, it worked!

Carmex is already a tried and true brand in my household, and I was delighted to learn the company has come out with Limited Edition Carmex Moisture Plus. The collection of four graphically-printed lip balms highlights the trendier side of Carmex. The lip balms still have the moisturizing Carmex formula, but come in stylish tubes. The sticks were designed to reflect an expression of a girl's unique personality. Each lip balm has a clear gloss finish and is formulated with Vitamin E, shea butter and sun protection.

Personally, I like all four designs. There's Whimsical which is a kaleidoscope of colors. The Chic design is black and white and intended for the modern girl with classic tastes. The Fab lip balm has a purple and black design, and the Adventurous lip balm has a leopard print.

To make sure every girl is able to embrace her one-of-a-kind personality, Carmex created a quiz to help determine which stick best aligns with your personal style. I partook in the Uniquely You Personality Quiz and learned that Whimsical best suits me. The results were close to accurate. They determined I choose simplicity and comfort over style and fashion. The results also determined I like to go camping and outdoor music festivals. That's actually real close to my actual personality and likes.

Although I agree with the Uniquely You Personality Quiz and agree that I can be summed up as whimsical, I wouldn't buy just the Whimsical lip balm based on a quiz result. I'd be up for purchasing any of the designs. I think they're all stylish and, most importantly, I like that they have a formula that works.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

I received products for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Build Dora's classroom with blocks and stickers to decorate. The talking Dora figurine speaks English, French and Spanish and also plays music. Approximately 18 pieces. SRP: $14.99

My younger nieces are fans of Dora and they love this playset. Their imagination comes to life as they listen to Dora speak in different languages and pretend she's in school. The different colored blocks, when put together, resemble the entrance to a school. This toy requires no batteries.

Features Molly and her rock lobster drummer ready to perform two of their greatest hits. Kids can help Molly get ready for the big rock show in her dressing room, then roll her down the ramp past Mr. Grouper as she bursts through the star-shaped door into center stage amidst the flashing lights and music. Molly's the star of the show with her fellow Bubble Guppies rocking along with her. Requires 3 "AA batteries. SRP: $22.99

Fans of Bubble Guppies will enjoy engaging with characters from the show on this stage. The included Molly figurine has bearings so she can roll down the ramp. Also included is a microphone, a drum set, and a lobster. This stage plays music and has lights. A song from the show also plays. Some adult assembly is required before play by manually adding stickers and snapping pieces together.

The Winx Club's latest magical transformation, Sirenix, is making a splash! Whether on land or under the sea, these girls are always riding the wave of fashion. Features sparkly wings, water-inspired fashions and cold water-activated color change hair. Collect all six dolls! SRP: $19.99

I'm not familiar with Winx Club, but my nieces are. Of the six dolls, I received Tecna. This doll can be played with anywhere, including in the water. Her hair changes hues when it touches cold water. A small purple brush is included to brush the doll's hair. Her arm and legs joints are movable, and a large set of blue plastic wings adorn her back. My nieces agree this doll is super fun to play with, inside the bathtub and out.

All three of these toys from the Nickelodon line would make a child happy to receive as a gift during the holiday season.

I received products in exchange for this post. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Sunstar GUM, a leader in oral hygiene products, is holding a Facebook Sweepstakes to engage followers in a creative way to discuss how to survive the holidays with your kids stress-free and to share tips about how parents can help keep children on track of their routines during this time—which can be a struggle due to all the sugary desserts and lack of a set schedule due to school vacation. When participants “like” Sunstar GUM’s Facebook page, and visit the Thanksgiving Survival Sweepstakes page, they can enter for a chance to win a $500 AMEX gift card. Once participants enter the sweepstakes, they will also receive downloadable tips from parenting expert, Tammy Gold, about surviving the holidays with their children—stress free. The tip sheet also includes a discount code for GUMbrand.com.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check out my list of active giveaways going on right now. The list is a little wonky right now with it not being in chronological order by ending dates but, other than that, it's all good. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

I received no product or compensation for this post. This post is in partnership with PR firm. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ. This post contains embedded widgets.

The Holiday season is rapidly approaching, and for a lot of us that means it’s ROAD TRIP time! Long trips can be taxing on your vehicle, which makes it even more important that it’s kept in tip top shape before you take-off.

The question is... do you know what it takes to keep up with your vehicles needs? How “car competent” are you?

NAPA AutoCare Centers have created a quiz for you to test your Car Competency before you take the trip. Test your knowledge on basic auto care mainte-nance, and download some pro-tips along the way. ASE Certi-fied Technicians were asked for six simple, and perhaps little known, pro-tips that will help you protect one of your biggest investments… your car!

Here’s what you can expect on your visit at NAPA AutoCare Centers:

- NAPA AutoCare Centers use ASE Certified techs. This means that you can trust that your car is being serviced by knowledgeable professionals, specifically equipped to help with all your needs.

- Their AutoCare Centers offer The Peace of Mind Nationwide Warranty which includes a 24-month/24,000 mile warranty on qualifying repairs and services. This means you get to have all of the benefits that come with doing business with a locally-owned business, but still have your work certified and guaranteed nationwide!

- With more than 15,000 locations nationwide, there is a NAPA AutoCare Center that is close by and ready to take care of all your vehicles your family owns.

Why you will love the NAPA AutoCare Blog App:

• Are You Car Competent? QUIZ - When it comes to vehicle maintenance, are your auto smarts running at full throttle or are you spinning on your wheels? Take the quiz to see how your car care knowledge stacks up!

• NAPA AutoCare Mega Tips PDF - Whether you’re an auto newbie or a car care veteran, NAPA AutoCare Centers have got you covered for all levels of service and repair. Print this list of Mechanic Mega Tips and keep it handy for when you need it!

Friday, November 22, 2013

I received products for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

There are so many reasons to give a meaningful thank you and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to spread and share thanks with the people who you are truly thankful for. Whether the person you want to thank is your neighbor who throws a great party, your postal worker who delivers the mail with a smile, or your family for always supporting you, there is no better way to share the Joy of Thank You than with a box of merci chocolates. Each box of merci includes a delicious selection of rich, European chocolates made from the finest ingredients. Flavors range from Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut-Almond to Dark Cream and Praline-Crème and are truly scrumptious. Each piece of chocolate is individually wrapped. I like each and every flavor, but my favorite is Hazelnut-Almond.

Because I'm thankful to several people in my life, I shared merci chocolates with a few who are near and dear to me. I wanted to thank those special people with the rich deliciousness of merci chocolates. I gave a couple pieces to my brother who I've been very thankful for lately. He's been extremely supportive as both a coach and an encourager while I learn the basics of roller derby. I also shared some with the midnight shift I work with. Although there's workplace cattiness, it's few and far between. I have a great group of shiftmates who are helpful and humorous. I also devoured a few pieces of merci chocolates myself. I couldn't resist the temptation of superior chocolates.

Of course, I could thank several more people for how they've shaped and molded me. I have a wonderful group of friends and family. And I can't leave out being thankful for God's blessings and grace. Being able to share Merci chocolates with loved ones and delight in showing my appreciation for them was a special moment for me. I'm also certainly thankful for the delicious creamy taste of merci chocolates.

Tell a friend just how thankful you are for them by creating a personal thank-you-maker message on merci chocolate's Facebook page. You'll receive a buy one, get one free coupon just for thanking a friend.

I received no product or compensation for this post. This post is in partnership with PR firm. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Haute Gifts for the Holidays: Join L'Occitane to Celebrate Their Favorite Days of the Week

L’OCCITANE will celebrate their favorite days of the week - Thursday and Friday! Guests shopping any L’OCCITANE retail boutique nationwide on Thursday, December 12th and Friday, December 13th will enjoy complimentary signature L’OCCITANE beauty rituals such as hand massages, mini-facials and fragrance layering. Also, with any $65 purchase, shoppers will receive a chic L’OCCITANE Thursday Friday Tote Bag while supplies last. Shop in style for everyone on your gift list at L’OCCITANE!

WHO: L’OCCITANE and Thursday Friday Tote Bags

WHERE: L’OCCITANE retail* boutiques nationwide

* excluding L’OCCITANE outlets and Wholesale partners

WHY: Haute Gifts for the Holiday: Shop in style for everyone on your gift list at L’OCCITANE!

ME

The Short of It

In addition to writing for my blog, Heck Of A Bunch, I also work full-time as a 911 Dispatcher. I'm married with a blended family of six kids and a dog. In what spare time I have left, I'm a referee for the local roller derby team.

Mean Green

PR Welcome

If you'd like me to try out your product or sponsor a giveaway, please don't be shy. I'd be honored to team up and have some fun! E-mail me at partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com.I am interested in reviewing your products and/or hosting a giveaway. I require a sample product for all reviews. Sample products will not be returned and you will be responsible for all shipping costs.Please allow up to 2 weeks for your review to be completed. I will send you an e-mail when the products arrives and again with the link once the review is posted on my blog. Thanks!

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FTC Disclosure

I receive products for review from companies so I can try them and give my full, honest opinion. The opinions within the post are of my own and I am not influenced in any way.
It is the reader's responsibility to research all facts regarding a product.
At times I write a sponsored post and that fact is included in the post. As well, I include the fact that I have received a product for review.